Kukla's Korner Hockey

The Stars are a different team without Sergei Zubov – that’s all there is to it.

Zubov averages more than 25 minutes a game and plays like nobody else in the NHL. He is supremely confident with the puck on his stick and he almost dares opponents to come at him on the forecheck, knowing that can only help him get the defense off of its game.

So if he cannot play in the playoffs because of a foot injury or groin injury or some other injury, the Stars will not be as good.